`Scorecard

Match Report

Clackmannan County sent a youthful Arns XI to play an experienced Gargunnock side who has lost heavily a couple of Sundays' ago. The skipper, Ash, lost the toss and Arns XI were asked to field.

Lyons and Milton, both Under-15's, opened up the bowling. Accurate on a slow,soft and damp grass pitch saw the ball move quite a lot. This was evident when Milton bowled Graham-Watson(0) with a ball that pitch on middle/leg and hit the top of off stump. A peach of a delivery that totally outplayed the batsman. This left GVCC rocking at 2 - 1. Hopper joined Smith at the crease and increased the score to 28 when Smith(8) fell to a yorker by Jamie McCann, playing his first senior game for the club. His accurate length bowling, throughout his spell was eventually rewarded with this wicket. Lyons was unlucky not to get a wicket, only going for 5 in his 2 overs.

The captain then brought on the experience of Will Kay and this proved to be a wise choice as Kay bowled a maiden. Next to bowl was the right-arm rubbish of Buna a.k.a Greig Taylor. It was now known that the wicket was turning like a treat and Taylor was unlucky not to get the wicket of Sutherland, who swung across the line only to miss a bowl that ptich on middle/off and turned to sneak by leg. Kay was unlucky too, as his appeal for LBW was turned down because he ran down the middle of the wicket. The Dr. was then warned for committing such a sin as running down the middle of the wicket (this was instigated by Gordon Oliver though ?!?!). This was all done in a light-hearted manner, for those of you who thought "fisticuffs" were coming out!!!!

Rasul then brought on Kash Ali and Big G-O, Gordon Oliver. The 2 bowled spin with the latter being taken to the cleaners (so his sons said). Ali got the breakthrough wicket of Hopper(14) who seemed to be chipping away and scoring nicely. Rasul then decided it was time to turn his arm over. Instant success as he has Sutherland(13) LBW with his 3rd ball. Rasul then removed Everrett(1) with a "BIG-TURNING" leg break, that pitched off the cut wicket and bowled the batsman. Everyone was stunned, apart from Ash because he knew that would happen, so he told us! Alan Oliver and Graham Olvier were the last 2 bowlers used, with Alan, claiming a wicket that anyone would be proud off. This glee was mainly due to the stunning catch taken by his dad. Standing at short extra-cover, Dolman(6) smacked the ball at knee hit for Oliver to catch a neat catch. Ralph Catts (16*) and David Farquhar(12*) saw out the innings, bringing it to a close on 104 for 8.

Greig Taylor and Dan Smith opened up for the Arns XI side. Taylor instantly took a liking to the bowling and some aggresive hitting saw him and Smith move the score to 22 for 0 after 4 overs. Taylor(19) eventually fell, after a sweetly timed 6 the over before, succumbing to the slow bowling of Bailey. His half-tracker looped over Taylor's bat as he wildly swung across the line. Skipper Rasul promoted himself and outscored Smith with his first shot, a cover drive for 4. Smith(9) was struggling with the lack of pace and eventually got out as he tried to come down the wicket to Dolman.

Meanwhile, Rasul was smashing the ball to all parts,as he normally does. He made his way to 25 before he was given out, caught behind, coming off the glove. Everyone knew it was out and were happy with the decsion but Rasul thought differently but still walked off in a professional manner. He was replaced with Kash Ali who did not last long, being run out for 1, going for a suicidal 2nd run. Graham Olvier(7) found the same problem as Smith and was also stumped by Smith off the bowling of Dolman. This bowler/wicket-keeper partnership, has now taken 3 wickets,proving it to be a happy one!

Alan Oliver and Gordon Oliver knocked the ball around, requiring 27 to win off 3 overs. Alan(7) was caught trying to take the game to the bowler. Gordon(12*) and youngster Callum Lyons(2*) hung around until the end but the score proved just too much for the Arns XI side, ending on 92 - 6 after 20 overs.

An excellent game played in extremely good spirit. The way cricket should be played!!!

Last updated 27/7/07 - GT